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St. John's Hospital is one of the oldest still existing hospitals in Europe. Although it no longer functions as an active hospital – it lost that function in 1978, it is home to the Memling museum, the hospital museum and the old pharmacy. This is really interesting for history buffs. The oldest known document with rules for the hospital dates from 1188, and shows the brothers and sisters who ran the hospital were not from a religious order. This did change in 1236 when the Bishop of Tournai insisted they take vows of obedience, chastity and poverty. He also demanded they wear a religious habit. That really didn't go over too well and it actually wasn't until 1459 that the lay order of brothers and sisters became a real religious order (formal vows and all). The story goes they finally agreed to become a religious order to avoid the overbearing power of the city's magistrate and the Duke.

St. John's hospital was a force to be reckoned with, one with power and riches at their command, not to mention a lot of real estate. The sisters took care of the sick-bay and kitchen, while the brothers administered the complex. In about 1600 St. John's Hospital became an all female institution. In the 19th century the powers that be wanted a newer hospital and they got one in 1855, built by architect Isidoor Alderweirelt. You can still see the old buildings at the site today, as the hospital was transformed into a museum and a congress center.

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